Commissioners talk addressing

Employees honored

December 28, 2012

WELLSBURG - Brooke County commissioners voted Thursday to implement a new addressing plan for unincorporated areas and said their goodbyes to three long-time employees as well as three outgoing elected officials.

Retiring are Christina Wells, a 20-plus year employee in the assessor's office; Sheriff's Deputy Matt Rogerson, a 20-year employee, and Cathy Metz, who'd been the sheriff's secretary for more than 22 years.

Celebrated for their devotion to public service were outgoing Brooke County Prosecutor Dave Cross, Sheriff Richard Ferguson and Commissioner Marty Bartz.

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Linda HarrisPLAQUES PRESENTED — Recognized for their service to Brooke County residents over the years were, from left, Commissioner Marty Bartz, Prosecutor David Cross, Sheriff Richard Ferguson and Cathy Metz, the sheriff’s secretary for the past 22-plus years. Commissioners presented each with a plaque Thursday recognizing their dedication and hard work over the years. Also recognized, but not present, were longtime employees Christina Wells and Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Rogerson, each of whom retired after two decades or more with the county.

The mapping ordinance, meanwhile, requires residents in unincorporated areas, particularly those with rural delivery or rural route numbers, to post the city-style addresses assigned to them on their homes or businesses or, if that's not workable, at the entrance to their property.

The change conforms with a federal mandate intended to facilitate mail delivery and make it easier for police, firefighters and ambulance squads to respond to emergency calls.

Violators face a $500 fine.

Ferguson, who'd proposed the change, told the panel it's "a good thing for us," adding it's important that county residents know what needs to be done to comply with the new law.

"It's still a work in progress," he said.

Commissioners, meanwhile, also voted to return a parcel that the Brooke County Board of Education had donated for a new ambulance station.

Commissioners had considered taking the property, located across from Brooke High School, and leasing additional land from the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, but the plan fell through when they couldn't come up with the estimated $400,000 needed to build the station across from Brooke High.

Instead, two new, temporary stations were added - one north of Follansbee, the other at Marshall Terrace off state Route 67.

The land had been given to commissioners with a stipulation that, if the ambulance project fell through, it would be returned to the board of education.

In other business, commissioners:

Appointed Terry Bonaventura to the Brooke County Public Service District and tabled action on a proposed lease for the prosecutor's office until the January meeting.

Received a signed copy of a $4,000 grant for renovations and beautification efforts at Grimes Golden Park.